Investigation of Traction Sheave Failure: Experimental and Finite Element Analysis.

The current paper analyzes the fracture of a traction elevator sheave and investigates the causes that led to failure. Visual inspection revealed a fracture sequence that led to the separation of the sheave into two parts along with some areas of extended corrosion. Key samples extracted from the sheave were subjected to optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis in order to ascertain the extent of corrosion, its effect on the material and also possible defects created during the casting process. The results of the microscopy analysis were consisted of both corrosion and casting defects leading to a significant increase of the probability of reduced mechanical properties of the material. Along with the initial visual inspection, a possible failure scenario was deducted and was then confirmed during finite element analysis. In order to proceed to the analysis, the geometry of the sheave has been reconstructed digitally. The two parts of the fractured sheave were digitized using 3D scanning and were then processed in order to create the CAD model used for the analysis. The simulation of the static and dynamic behavior of the object determined increased stress values at segments of the sheave that were consistent with the fracture sequence initially observed during visual inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]